Griz Days Winter Festival

At this festival, you might end up in jail—but that’s a good thing. Each winter, Fernie celebrates mountain town culture, legendary Powder Highway snow, and The Griz who locals say is responsible for their share of snow in the region. “It is a great celebration because it’s very community oriented,” says Jikke Gyorki, executive officer for Tourism Fernie. “Just be sure to pick up a ‘Griz Days’ pin before the Sheriff finds you!”

The pins — and the bail set to get pin-less attendees out of jail, raises money for a local charity each year. Those obediently displaying The Griz pin will find diverse activities to give a try: there’s mountain man-style competitions including sawing, shooting, axe throwing, fire starting, leg wrestling, hockey shoot out, and a pancake eating contest, along with fireworks, rail jams, and plenty more.

“The whole town comes out to celebrate … it’s a great way for visitors to get to know Fernie mountain culture,” says Gyorki. “And the kids love it!”